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Labor Market Effects of Global Supply Chain Disruptions

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Abstract

We examine the labor market consequences of recent global supply chain disruptions induced by COVID-19. Specifically, we consider a temporary increase in international trade costs similar to the one observed during the pandemic and analyze its effects on labor market outcomes using a quantitative trade model with downward nominal wage rigidities. Even omitting any health related impacts of the pandemic, the increase in trade costs leads to a temporary but prolonged decline in U.S. labor force participation. However, there is a temporary increase in manufacturing employment as the United States is a net importer of manufactured goods, which become costlier to obtain from abroad. By contrast, service and agricultural employment experience temporary declines. Nominal frictions lead to temporary unemployment when the shock dissipates, but this depends on the degree of monetary accommodation. Overall, the shock results in a 0.14% welfare loss for the United States. The impact on labor force participation and welfare across countries varies depending on the initial degree of openness and sectoral deficits.

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  • Mauricio Ulate & Jose P. Vasquez & Roman D. Zarate, 2023. "Labor Market Effects of Global Supply Chain Disruptions," Working Paper Series 2023-08, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
  • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedfwp:95735
    DOI: 10.24148/wp2023-08
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    Cited by:

    1. Andres Rodriguez-Clare & Mauricio Ulate & Jose P Vasquez, 2025. "The 2025 trade war: Dynamic impacts across US States and the global economy," CEP Discussion Papers dp2103, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    supply chain disruptions; trade costs; downward nominal wage rigidity; Supply Chain;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • F11 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Neoclassical Models of Trade
    • F16 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Labor Market Interactions
    • F40 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - General
    • F66 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Labor

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